I just got back from an awesome bike ride through the back roads of Northern Oakland County. I thought I'd try something different today. I sat down at the computer and mapped out a route on mapmyrun.com since I wanted between 20-30 miles of hilly back roads and part of the rails-to-trails system but didn't have a defined route set as of yet.
I built a nice course, headed out, and was immediately glad that I mapped it. The head winds were horrible and I debated about cutting the ride short because of them. But, because I planned a route and wanted to stick to it, I pushed through, and felt better every time they abated.
The hills were great climbs and the descents were even better. The weather was chilly but sunny. And, the mapping gave me a goal to achieve. I'll definitely be doing more planned routes this year, maybe adding mileage or trying to get some PRs on the old routes.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Great Day For A Trail Race - The Mountain Man
Sunday was a great day for a trail race, my first of the year - The Mountain Man Challenge.
The race was a local one; just down the street from my house. The trail is one of my favorites; one I run regularly. Small race; under 200 people. And the time was perfect; 10a.m. start. It has been warm but raining intermittently all week; the trail was nice and mucky. Put it all together, and you've got the perfect conditions for a trail race.
We got there early because the Tees were limited, received our stuff, and proceeded to stand by the fire to keep warm (mid 30s) and chat with the other runners.
I do think that talking to other runners before a race must be the easiest thing to do. Everyone seems eager to talk and laugh. There must be different reasons for each of us - I know for me, it’s to meet new people, take the edge off from knowing I plan on throwing myself down a trail, and to learn some folks names - I do this to cheer them on at the finish if I get there before them.
Anywho. The race went off without a hitch. It started on time, the route was well marked, they had enough water stations, the timing was accurate, the awards were timely, and best of all, they had great bananas at the end (I had two).
I finished strong, coming in tenth overall (with my wife on my heels) and my PR for the trail. I even got cheered in by some of the faster runners - and then cheered in some of the slower folks I had met earlier. Big smiles all around.
Even the weather didn't feel too bad on the trail - just a lot of mud, but that’s the fun part. When else do we get to play in the mud anymore?
P.S. I should mention that nothing motivates you more than your wife catching up to you without your knowledge and screaming through the woods, "Go Matty!!!".
The race was a local one; just down the street from my house. The trail is one of my favorites; one I run regularly. Small race; under 200 people. And the time was perfect; 10a.m. start. It has been warm but raining intermittently all week; the trail was nice and mucky. Put it all together, and you've got the perfect conditions for a trail race.
We got there early because the Tees were limited, received our stuff, and proceeded to stand by the fire to keep warm (mid 30s) and chat with the other runners.
I do think that talking to other runners before a race must be the easiest thing to do. Everyone seems eager to talk and laugh. There must be different reasons for each of us - I know for me, it’s to meet new people, take the edge off from knowing I plan on throwing myself down a trail, and to learn some folks names - I do this to cheer them on at the finish if I get there before them.
Anywho. The race went off without a hitch. It started on time, the route was well marked, they had enough water stations, the timing was accurate, the awards were timely, and best of all, they had great bananas at the end (I had two).
I finished strong, coming in tenth overall (with my wife on my heels) and my PR for the trail. I even got cheered in by some of the faster runners - and then cheered in some of the slower folks I had met earlier. Big smiles all around.
Even the weather didn't feel too bad on the trail - just a lot of mud, but that’s the fun part. When else do we get to play in the mud anymore?
P.S. I should mention that nothing motivates you more than your wife catching up to you without your knowledge and screaming through the woods, "Go Matty!!!".
Saturday, March 28, 2009
The Joy of a Slow Run
Well. I've been so preoccupied lately with picking up my pace and "getting in the mileage", I've forgotten how fun a nice easy run could be. Last week I pushed myself with the mileage - over 47 with 17+ on the trails, and 75+ on the mountain bike. My legs became angry with me. I listened to them and cut this weeks mileage down a notch.
I'm trying to stay around 30 miles with limited biking. With a trail race coming up on Sunday, this meant I needed to get some shorter runs and a long run in, with time to rest before the race. Monday and Wednesday were rest days, Tuesday and Thursday were six milers. Friday was the only day for my long run but the legs were achy and I had to work a 14 hour shift starting at 11:00am.
But the weather was fantastic - 40s, sunny, and no wind. I knew at 7:30am that if I didn't get a run in before work, I would hate myself for it. By 8:00am I concluded on running, 8:15am dressed, and by 8:30am I was on the Paint Creek Trail. I needed a long run but didn't want to push the legs too hard, so I decided to go slow - really slow. I dropped my pace by 15%, over 1:30 per mile.
I only had two hours for the run before I needed to get ready for work, so I just ran as far as I could at that pace for 55 minutes, turned around, and headed home. It felt great, no pressures to get a good time in, no worries about cramping up, no problems with the legs, just an easy run. I let the mind wonder onto the sights and sounds that the trail has to offer; the birds and frogs, the Paint Creek flowing from all of the recent rain, the clay under foot, and the occasional pooch enjoying his freedom chasing squirrels.
I made it home with time to spare and took a nice long shower, then headed to work with no regrets. I got my 12 mile long run in for the week, felt great at work all day, and have since decided to add a nice slow run once a week into my program - just so I remember why I started running in the first place.
I'm trying to stay around 30 miles with limited biking. With a trail race coming up on Sunday, this meant I needed to get some shorter runs and a long run in, with time to rest before the race. Monday and Wednesday were rest days, Tuesday and Thursday were six milers. Friday was the only day for my long run but the legs were achy and I had to work a 14 hour shift starting at 11:00am.
But the weather was fantastic - 40s, sunny, and no wind. I knew at 7:30am that if I didn't get a run in before work, I would hate myself for it. By 8:00am I concluded on running, 8:15am dressed, and by 8:30am I was on the Paint Creek Trail. I needed a long run but didn't want to push the legs too hard, so I decided to go slow - really slow. I dropped my pace by 15%, over 1:30 per mile.
I only had two hours for the run before I needed to get ready for work, so I just ran as far as I could at that pace for 55 minutes, turned around, and headed home. It felt great, no pressures to get a good time in, no worries about cramping up, no problems with the legs, just an easy run. I let the mind wonder onto the sights and sounds that the trail has to offer; the birds and frogs, the Paint Creek flowing from all of the recent rain, the clay under foot, and the occasional pooch enjoying his freedom chasing squirrels.
I made it home with time to spare and took a nice long shower, then headed to work with no regrets. I got my 12 mile long run in for the week, felt great at work all day, and have since decided to add a nice slow run once a week into my program - just so I remember why I started running in the first place.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Spring RBS Group Ride
Great day for a bike ride.
The sun was out, the weather was perfect, and the back roads were smooth and dry(for the most part). I received an email last night from Greg asking if anyone was interested in a ride; it turned out that more than a few of us were ready to hit the roads. Six strong.
We met up and headed out from the back door of RBS and B-lined it for the Paint Creek Trail. The trail was good with some activity but was wet most of the way. Because of this, we took a right at Adams and headed for the back roads north of Orion, and ended up doing a wide loop through Oakland, Leonard, Romeo, and back into Rochester - 4 hours and 47 miles later.
The route took us over some of the best hills Oakland had to offer, some great flats and descents, and plopped us off at the Macomb Orchard Trail, about ten miles out. We finished the ride cruzing it at a good speed, taking our turns drafting and pushing. I must admit though, I wasn't able to help with the pushing; my legs were feeling the hills at about mile 20 and caused me to lag behind on the climbs, but was able to stick with the pack for most of the second half of the ride.
.JPG)
The ride was first-rate for the cardio and endurance, remarkable for the scenery, and a great opportunity to get to meet some of the other riders. And, thanks guys for slowing a bit to wait up. You guys made it truly an enjoyable group ride.
Yes, great day for a bike ride.
P.S. I didn't make it to Kensington but did hit the Paint Creek Trail for a 5 miler with the misses. Sorry, Kitten. I know you were excited to try the loop.
The sun was out, the weather was perfect, and the back roads were smooth and dry(for the most part). I received an email last night from Greg asking if anyone was interested in a ride; it turned out that more than a few of us were ready to hit the roads. Six strong.
We met up and headed out from the back door of RBS and B-lined it for the Paint Creek Trail. The trail was good with some activity but was wet most of the way. Because of this, we took a right at Adams and headed for the back roads north of Orion, and ended up doing a wide loop through Oakland, Leonard, Romeo, and back into Rochester - 4 hours and 47 miles later.
The route took us over some of the best hills Oakland had to offer, some great flats and descents, and plopped us off at the Macomb Orchard Trail, about ten miles out. We finished the ride cruzing it at a good speed, taking our turns drafting and pushing. I must admit though, I wasn't able to help with the pushing; my legs were feeling the hills at about mile 20 and caused me to lag behind on the climbs, but was able to stick with the pack for most of the second half of the ride.
.JPG)
The ride was first-rate for the cardio and endurance, remarkable for the scenery, and a great opportunity to get to meet some of the other riders. And, thanks guys for slowing a bit to wait up. You guys made it truly an enjoyable group ride.
Yes, great day for a bike ride.
P.S. I didn't make it to Kensington but did hit the Paint Creek Trail for a 5 miler with the misses. Sorry, Kitten. I know you were excited to try the loop.
Friday, March 13, 2009
The Paint Creek Trail is Still There
Yes, its still there.
The back of my house faces the end of the trail and every morning for the last three months I would get up, make coffee, and look to see if the trail had returned - it had gone in November and was replaced with this unholy, evil sheet of rugged ice about three inches thick. It was rutted and jagged and mean from all of the walkers, and dogs, and xc-skiers. It was snowed on, frozen, partially thawed, frozen again, etc. The trail was gone - Hibernating, like so many fish at the bottom of a pond.
Then, the rain came. It rained, and rained, and rained.
And with the rain, the trail had returned - just like the Geese. It is still bare. No flowers, no blooms, no green grass, on one else. But, that’s the beauty of the Trail in the Spring. Running down the trail with just your thoughts and foot steps, listening to the Paint Creek rushing from the Spring thaw and the recent rain. Occasionally catching sight of the deer through the trees. This is the time to really see the trail exposed, baring herself to you; her curves and course, how closely she intermingles with the Paint Creek, her quiet side. I've missed her.
I had to see if she was clear all the way to Rochester (I live at the Lake Orion end), so I decided to take a run down to meet up with some friends from a local running group at the Rochester Library. Since I've been doing my Mickey-miles on the treadmill so much this winter, I took it slow. I didn't want to get to the meet-up and be tired before we ran together.
It was partly cloudy and 25 out; I dressed appropriately and hit the trail about 4:45p.m. Mr. Sun was up and a bit behind me, so I was able to enjoy the views with no glare. I had forgotten how nice it was to be there, to be on the trail, to be running real miles, to have it to myself.
After just a few miles, I realized that I was cruzing along faster then I expected to go (I didn't have a certain pace in mind, but rather just ran at a comfortable level). My mind was taking in all of the experiences that the trail had to offer.
The fish pond is still frozen over, but I swear I heard the fish chipping at it from underneath. The smell of mud and pine trees flowing. And, just when I least expected it; I got the best whiff of a camp fire. The best! All the way to Rochester, watching the river trying to climb her banks, snakeing this way and that.
As for the other runners on the trail. I swear Spring is the only time when you'll see every one of them smiling.
Well, I got to the Library in record time, feeling alive and ready to run with them. I was told that the run would be a 6-to-8 mile out and back down the Paint Creek Trail! So, off we went. When they turned around to head back, I just kept on going and headed home. Great run!
The best run of the year for me will always be the first long run down the Paint Creek Trail.
The back of my house faces the end of the trail and every morning for the last three months I would get up, make coffee, and look to see if the trail had returned - it had gone in November and was replaced with this unholy, evil sheet of rugged ice about three inches thick. It was rutted and jagged and mean from all of the walkers, and dogs, and xc-skiers. It was snowed on, frozen, partially thawed, frozen again, etc. The trail was gone - Hibernating, like so many fish at the bottom of a pond.
Then, the rain came. It rained, and rained, and rained.
And with the rain, the trail had returned - just like the Geese. It is still bare. No flowers, no blooms, no green grass, on one else. But, that’s the beauty of the Trail in the Spring. Running down the trail with just your thoughts and foot steps, listening to the Paint Creek rushing from the Spring thaw and the recent rain. Occasionally catching sight of the deer through the trees. This is the time to really see the trail exposed, baring herself to you; her curves and course, how closely she intermingles with the Paint Creek, her quiet side. I've missed her.
I had to see if she was clear all the way to Rochester (I live at the Lake Orion end), so I decided to take a run down to meet up with some friends from a local running group at the Rochester Library. Since I've been doing my Mickey-miles on the treadmill so much this winter, I took it slow. I didn't want to get to the meet-up and be tired before we ran together.
It was partly cloudy and 25 out; I dressed appropriately and hit the trail about 4:45p.m. Mr. Sun was up and a bit behind me, so I was able to enjoy the views with no glare. I had forgotten how nice it was to be there, to be on the trail, to be running real miles, to have it to myself.
After just a few miles, I realized that I was cruzing along faster then I expected to go (I didn't have a certain pace in mind, but rather just ran at a comfortable level). My mind was taking in all of the experiences that the trail had to offer.
The fish pond is still frozen over, but I swear I heard the fish chipping at it from underneath. The smell of mud and pine trees flowing. And, just when I least expected it; I got the best whiff of a camp fire. The best! All the way to Rochester, watching the river trying to climb her banks, snakeing this way and that.
As for the other runners on the trail. I swear Spring is the only time when you'll see every one of them smiling.
Well, I got to the Library in record time, feeling alive and ready to run with them. I was told that the run would be a 6-to-8 mile out and back down the Paint Creek Trail! So, off we went. When they turned around to head back, I just kept on going and headed home. Great run!
The best run of the year for me will always be the first long run down the Paint Creek Trail.
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